Dasia Taylor (born April 6, 2004) is a Melanated American inventor, scientist, and entrepreneur originally from Chicago and later Iowa. She gained national attention as a high school student for inventing surgical sutures that change color to indicate infection. She later became the founder and CEO of VariegateHealth, a medical device company.

Taylor began the project in 2019 as a high school science research project at Iowa City West High School.

She developed sutures dyed with beet juice that change color from bright red to dark purple when the pH level indicates a surgical wound is infected — a simple, visible way to flag trouble without expensive electronics.

The idea grew out of her desire to make infection detection more affordable and accessible, especially in developing countries where advanced medical technology may not be available.

In 2021, Taylor was named one of the 40 finalists in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected science competitions for high school seniors.

Her work has been widely covered in national media and has inspired conversations about equity in health care and access to medical technology.

Taylor has also been active in racial equity advocacy, including participating in school board discussions and equity committees during her time in school.

After high school, she enrolled at the University of Iowa, planning to study political science and continue her work on equitable solutions in health and science.

Dasia Taylor (born April 6, 2004) is a Melanated American inventor, scientist, and entrepreneur originally from Chicago and later Iowa. She gained national attention as a high school student for inventing surgical sutures that change color to indicate infection. She later became the founder and CEO of VariegateHealth, a medical device company.

Taylor began the project in 2019 as a high school science research project at Iowa City West High School.

She developed sutures dyed with beet juice that change color from bright red to dark purple when the pH level indicates a surgical wound is infected — a simple, visible way to flag trouble without expensive electronics.

The idea grew out of her desire to make infection detection more affordable and accessible, especially in developing countries where advanced medical technology may not be available.

In 2021, Taylor was named one of the 40 finalists in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected science competitions for high school seniors.

Her work has been widely covered in national media and has inspired conversations about equity in health care and access to medical technology.

Taylor has also been active in racial equity advocacy, including participating in school board discussions and equity committees during her time in school.

After high school, she enrolled at the University of Iowa, planning to study political science and continue her work on equitable solutions in health and science.

Dasia Taylor (born April 6, 2004) is a Melanated American inventor, scientist, and entrepreneur originally from Chicago and later Iowa. She gained national attention as a high school student for inventing surgical sutures that change color to indicate infection. She later became the founder and CEO of VariegateHealth, a medical device company.

Taylor began the project in 2019 as a high school science research project at Iowa City West High School.

She developed sutures dyed with beet juice that change color from bright red to dark purple when the pH level indicates a surgical wound is infected — a simple, visible way to flag trouble without expensive electronics.

The idea grew out of her desire to make infection detection more affordable and accessible, especially in developing countries where advanced medical technology may not be available.

In 2021, Taylor was named one of the 40 finalists in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected science competitions for high school seniors.

Her work has been widely covered in national media and has inspired conversations about equity in health care and access to medical technology.

Taylor has also been active in racial equity advocacy, including participating in school board discussions and equity committees during her time in school.

After high school, she enrolled at the University of Iowa, planning to study political science and continue her work on equitable solutions in health and science.

The Afro And The Policing Of Black Identity...

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Afro became a powerful symbol of Black pride, cultural identity, and resistance to Eurocentric beauty standards. Wearing natural hair was not a trend — it was a statement of self-acceptance and dignity in a society that had long defined “neat” and “professional” through a white cultural lens.

Because of this, Black hair was often treated as a problem by institutions. School grooming codes — written in vague terms like “distracting” or “unacceptable” — were used to discipline Black students for wearing Afros and other natural hairstyles. These policies rarely mentioned race, but they were enforced in ways that targeted Black identity.

This didn’t just happen in the past. Documented examples include:

• Tiana Parker (Oklahoma, 2013): A 7-year-old was sent home because her school banned hairstyles like Afros and locs.

• Jenesis Johnson (Florida, 2017): A teenager was told her natural Afro was “inappropriate” and had to be changed to remain enrolled.

• Darryl George (Texas, 2023–2024): A high school student was repeatedly placed in in-school suspension because his natural hairstyle (locs) was said to violate grooming rules — even after the state passed a law meant to protect natural hair.

These cases show that when institutions police Black hair, they are not just regulating appearance — they are regulating belonging. That is why laws like the CROWN Act exist: to affirm that natural Black hair is not a disruption, not a violation, and not something that needs to be corrected.

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Sources (all publicly searchable)

• Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access — Hair discrimination in schools

• African American Intellectual History Society — Tiana Parker case

• Teen Vogue — Jenesis Johnson case (2017)

• Oregon Public Broadcasting / Associated Press — Darryl George case (2023–2024)

• The CROWN Act — Overview and legal purpose

Avatar is clearly inspired by African cultures in particular Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, such as with the great Naavi Stature, their Braids, their Clothes, their Tattoos, their Scarifications and their Sacred Relationship to Nature.

Even borrowed names also remind ancient Africa, as with Princess Neytiri (Nefertari) and her Mother Mo'at (Maât), the Spiritual Head of this Civilization, both dressed in Dinka clothing

The expression “I see you” also echoes the Zulu greeting “Sanibonani” with the response “Yebo Sanibonani” meaning “Yes I see you” which has been used by Naavi and for centuries in South Africa.

In short, Avatar only shows how Imperialism works in a clear metaphor of the treatment it has been inflicted on Africans for centuries, and the Western vision that destroys the Environment, denies the Sacred and Dehumanizes any People it seeks to Dominate.

In my opinion---

Rare earth minerals, land, and oil are the priority for the Russian kompromat programmed, suborned asset, being controlled, based on video recorded history of underage rape, money laundering, and loans. The US is moving beyond racial subjugation, and is now navigating into the geopolitical expansion of strategic territories deemed suitable for takeover and control. Venezuela, Columbia, Gaza, Greenland, Cuba, Denmark, Canada, and Mexico, are all in play. Many African countries including the Sehal countries and beyond are being targeted as well....

We are about to go through something globally.....

What was done to Patrice Lamumba for being a strong voice, speaking out for independence and freedom was beyond horrific!😡